One of the major causes of sexual dysfunction in men is related to the usage of prescription drugs, such as Viagra and beta blockers (also known as beta-adrenergic blockers). In fact, studies have shown that as many as 60% of men regularly take these types of medications, and though they may help with impotence and low libido, they can also cause serious problems if used improperly or in combination with other drugs. Below we will discuss how Viagra and beta blockers interact, how to avoid a dangerous interaction, and what you should know about this topic.
How Do Viagra And Beta Blockers Interact?
When Viagra was first disclosed to the public in 1998, one of the more remarkable things was how well it worked in combination with beta blockers. Indeed, studies have shown that taking Viagra before or during a meal greatly helped men who were taking beta blockers to achieve better results when having sex. This positive effect of combining medications is probably due to the fact that both drugs work at inhibiting the release of acetylcholine, a chemical which plays a major role in sexual arousal. More specifically, Viagra works by blocking the action of acetylcholinesterase (AchE), an enzyme which breaks down acetylcholine. This means that when you take Viagra, it keeps longer in your body and therefore provides better sexual effects when compared to if you had skipped a meal and taken the medication later on during the day. So, in a way, combining Viagra with beta blockers allows for more consistent results when having sex due to the fact that the medication’s effects last longer.
As mentioned above, the combination of Viagra and beta blockers is very useful for treating sexual dysfunction. However, just because these two medications work well when taken separately, it does not mean that they will play well together. In fact, there are several situations where they can cause serious problems if combined, and therefore, it is imperative that you know how to take them safely and effectively. Specifically, there are two situations where you should avoid combining Viagra and beta blockers:
When Taking Viagra Or A Derived Product You Experience Gastrointestinal Tract Effects
Though rare, there are cases where men have experienced severe gastrointestinal effects after taking a derivative of Viagra, such as Cialis or Levitra. It is not yet known what caused this particular reaction in some people, but given that these are prescription medications, it is likely that they were not manufactured or distributed in compliance with the required standards of safety and effectiveness. For this reason, whenever you experience gastrointestinal effects after taking a derivative of Viagra, you must stop using the drug and consult your doctor. In rare cases, this could lead to a severe allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock, which could be fatal.
In addition to stopping the medication, you should also consult your doctor about how to safely resume treatment. If you are taking Viagra for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, it is imperative that you consult with your doctor before attempting to use any over-the-counter medications to treat your symptoms. Doing so could expose you to serious side effects which could be exacerbated by the combination with other medications or treatments. Over-the-counter remedies such as papaya fiber, ginseng, or yohimbine may temporarily improve your erectile function, but in the vast majority of cases, this will be accompanied by severe gastrointestinal effects. In addition, supplements such as yohimbine may interact with prescription medications, such as Viagra and beta blockers, which could lead to serious problems.
When Taking Beta Blockers Or A Derived Product You Experience Heart Effects
Just as with the previous situation, there are also cases where men have experienced severe heart effects after taking a derivative of beta blockers, such as propranolol (also known as Inderal) or atenolol. Like with the previous situation, it is not yet known what caused these particular reactions in some people, but given that these are prescription medications, it is likely that they were not manufactured or distributed in compliance with the required standards of safety and effectiveness. In these cases, whenever you experience heart effects after taking a derivative of beta blockers, you must immediately stop using the drug and consult your doctor. In addition to stopping the medication, you must consult with your doctor about how to safely resume treatment. If you are taking beta blockers for the treatment of hypertension, it is imperative that you consult with your doctor before attempting to use any over-the-counter medications to treat your symptoms. Doing so could expose you to serious side effects which could be exacerbated by the combination with other medications or treatments. Over-the-counter remedies such as ginger, garlic, or yohimbine may temporarily improve your blood pressure, but in the vast majority of cases, this will be accompanied by severe gastrointestinal effects. In addition, supplements such as yohimbine may interact with prescription medications, such as beta blockers, which could lead to serious problems.
In both situations described above, it is imperative that you consult with your doctor about how to take Viagra and beta blockers safely and effectively. In many cases, the combination of these medications is very useful for treating sexual dysfunction, and many men take them daily to maintain good health and consistent sexual performance. However, as you become more knowledgeable about this topic, you will be able to identify situations where it is not quite as safe or effective to take this combination, as well as those where it could cause you serious problems. In the end, while combining Viagra and beta blockers is quite useful, understanding their interactions and knowing how to take them safely and effectively is key to receiving the maximum benefit from this medication regimen and avoiding any potential side effects or dangerous situations.